The Construction Industry Safety Coalition (CISC) has published several updates to its guidance for construction employers, employees, and contractors on coronavirus (COVID-19) exposure prevention, preparedness, and response. The Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Plan for Construction, first published in late March, describes how to prevent worker exposure and includes protective measures to be taken on the job site. The plan has been updated twice as new information about the virus and prevention has become available.
The updated version of the plan contains changes based on updated guidance from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and health officials. The new guidance includes an expanded section helping employees understand the symptoms of COVID-19, including coughing, fever of chills, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headaches, sore throat, congestion, nausea, and new loss of taste or smell. The guidance outlines how workers should not go to work if they are experiencing such conditions and to notify healthcare providers when coming into close contact with individuals showing the symptoms mentioned.
The CISC’s guidance also now includes screening questions for jobsite visitors. If a visitor answers yes to any of the following questions, the individual should not be permitted to access the jobsite:
- Have you been confirmed positive for COVID-19 and have not yet been cleared to return for work?
- Are you currently experiencing, or recently experienced, any acute respiratory illness symptoms such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath?
- Have you been in close contact with any persons who have been confirmed positive for COVID-19 and are also exhibiting acute respiratory illness symptoms in the last 14 days?
- Have you been in close contact with any persons who have traveled and are also exhibiting acute respiratory illness symptoms in the last 14 days?
The guidance also features additional guidance on the use of face coverings, new guidance on jobsite exposure situations, including positive tests, and a new section on when to record a COVID-19 case on the OSHA 300 log.
CISC’s jobsite safety materials also include a customizable response plan, notifications for employees, a checklist and quick reference guide, and a toolbox talk for employers. The safety plan is also available in Spanish.
